Empire State Plaza skating rink opens Saturday

Happy New Year: the Empire State Plaza skating rink will open to the public at 11 a.m. Saturday.

“I am pleased that after being closed for years, this ice rink is once again open to the public,” Governor Cuomo said. “The Empire State Plaza is a wonderful asset that deserves to be enjoyed all year round, so I am thrilled that we are able to end this year with such a great event.”

The state’s fiscal woes forced the rink to close for the 2007-08 season, and every year since. Located in the shadow of the Capitol and the Egg, it is a free option that has often drawn families from around the Capital District. It’s re-opening this year was made possible through a sponsorship agreement with the Olympic Regional Development Authority, which runs ski centers at Whiteface and Gore mountains.

As an added incentive, state officials announced, skate rental will be free on Saturday, as will hot chocolate at the snack bar. (Admission to the ice is always free, but skate rental normally costs $4 for adults and $3 for children under 12.)

The rink will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. At 2 p.m. on Saturday, the Albany Figure Skating Club will conduct figure skating demonstrations, and its members will be around all day to offer lessons.